1. Fascism in Italy
Rise of Mussolini

2. Rise of Mussolini
The Italians were on the victorious Allies side of World War I
However they gained virtually no land

3. Economic Downfall Returning soldiers became unemployed Trade declined
Taxes increased
Workers took over factories and land
Attempted to recreate the Russian Revolution

4. Benito Mussolini
Benito Mussolini created the Fascist party

5. Gaining Support Gained the support of: Returning soldiers
Unhappy Italians

6. Roman Empire Promised to end Italy’s troubled times
Return to the greatness of the Roman Empire

7. Use of Violence Mussolini used violence to make change
Used his supporters to break up:
Socialist rallies
Newspapers
Trade unions
Black Shirts also got rid of elected officials

8. The March on Rome
Mussolini and his followers threatened to marched on Rome
Caused King Victor Emmanuel III to make Mussolini prime minister
Thus Mussolini was in charge of Italy

9. ***Il Duce*** Mussolini took the title Il Duce or “The Leader”
Stopped all opposition parties
Ended freedom of the press
Rigged elections

10. Mussolini’s Italy Replaced elected officials with Fascist leaders
Italy became a dictatorship supported by violence and terror
Dissenters were put in prison or killed

11. Economic Control Placed the economy under state control
Workers were forbidden to strike
Their wages remained low
Business and production increased

12. Propaganda Used propaganda the same way Stalin did
Posters and loudspeakers to brainwash the people
“Believe! Obey! Fight!”

13. ***Men & Women*** Men were trained to be soldiers
Told they must fight to achieve peace
Women were expected to be mothers
Had more than 14 children, given a medal
Give their wedding rings to the treasury
Received an iron one in place of it

14. ***Children*** Also expected to participate
Joined Fascists youth groups
Taught to obey strict military discipline
Taught about the success of the Roman Empire
They chanted “Mussolini was always right!”

15. ***What is Fascism?***
Fascism – an authoritarian government that is not communist
Different in each country
But they all glorified violence
Discipline
Loyalty to the state
Rejected democracy
Democracy was based on greed and corruption
These would weaken the country
Advocated war and expansion
Makes the country great

16. Enemies Fascists were the sworn enemy of communists
There are many similarities between them
Both avoided the Great Depression by creating social change
Both had dictators that imposed totalitarian governments

17. First Totalitarian State
Mussolini’s Italy was the first totalitarian state
Served as a guide for Hitler’s Germany

18. ***Fascism’s Appeal***
Fascism appealed to many people because:
Created a strong stable government
Promoted nationalism
Received good press across Europe until the war started